It is apparent that periodontal disease threatens our teeth, because the logic is easy to follow. The threat that lies hidden beneath the understanding of what most of us see on the surface, is that periodontal disease also threatens our health in ways other than what is contained in our oral cavity. The threat is especially true for the elderly, pregnant women, unborn babies, and also the chronically ill. The American Academy of Periodontology takes this threat seriously and wants all of us to do the same. They have been striving to educate the public about the threat of periodontal disease since July of 1998.
The bacteria that cause periodontal disease can and does enter our blood steam and can travel to the major organs in our bodies where it can create new infections that can harm our health. This ability to travel by way of our blood steam may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk for stroke, contribute to the risk for pre-term birth and also compromise the health of those with diabetes, osteoporosis, respiratory diseases and other serious systemic diseases.
There may not always be visible signs of periodontal disease. A visit to your dentist is often how individuals discover that they have this gum infection. It is important therefore, that all individuals see the dentist for cleanings and for exams on a regular basis. It is even more important for individuals who have diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis or respiratory diseases to be diligent about their dental health care needs because of their increased risk for harm if periodontal disease is undetected.
Women who are planning on becoming pregnant should also see a dentist for an exam and a cleaning in preparation for pregnancy to guard against pre-term labor.
If you have a family member with periodontal disease, research shows that you may be at increased risk for it too and should be careful about following guidelines for gum disease prevention.
Individuals who notice a sore or mouth irritation that does not heal within two weeks should also see a dentist for diagnosis.
The threat to our health is real, and we all need to not only understand the threat but take it seriously. Our health is too important to not only ourselves, but to those loved ones who count on us to be there for them. Good health allows us to function in comfort and to do the daily activities required to maintain our lifestyles. Protecting ourselves and our family members against the real threat of gum disease is something that we can all do when we brush our teeth properly, floss daily and rinse our mouth with an ADA approved mouth rinse as well as to see our dentist for cleanings and exams twice a year.
